Crowd Safety: 3 Safety Tips

From people singing during a concert to fans cheering on their favorite team, a crowd can excite and energize an event. That said, crowds can also pose health risks.

Luckily, you can take steps to manage crowd safety. That way, you can help ensure a safe, fun event.

Read on for three crowd safety tips and the equipment you’ll need to make your event as safe as possible.

#1 Anticipate Crowd-Specific Behavior and Hazards

Different types of events tend to encourage certain types of crowd behavior, and the manner in which each crowd conducts itself can come with its own set of potential hazards.

For example, while an apple festival might lend itself to a more family-oriented atmosphere, a sporting event tend to attract louder or more raucous crowds. As such, anticipating the culture of an event crowd is one of planners’ primary means of preemptive safety crowd management.

It’s helpful to consider the following factors when devising crowd safety measures:

• Your event’s culture – As mentioned, certain types of events come with implied codes of conduct. To encourage a festive atmosphere while ensuring crowd safety, be sure to make security or first aid facilities a cornerstone of your budget.
• Your crowd’s age – You may need to implement different crowd safety measures for crowds of different ages. For example, a large crowd over the legal drinking age may require more crowd control staff in case any attendees are overserved. On the other hand, carnivals attended by kids and their families may require you to codify age limits for certain activities.
• Your crowd’s size – As a general rule, the larger the crowd, the more personnel and safety equipment you’ll need.

#2 Hire Adequate Staff 

Security personnel and event staff can often mean the difference between a safe special event and one that quickly spirals out of control. Event staff are key for ensuring crowd safety in the following ways:

• Crowd control – Event staff can help calm a large crowd down. If you anticipate a larger crowd, consider splitting your staff into teams. That way, each team can perform crowd control in a section of the crowd, rather than attempt to placate a mass of people.
• Crowd assistance – Event staff can also help crowds orientate to the event venue. For example, if a person in a crowd needs to use the bathroom, but doesn’t know the location of a portable toilet, an event staff member can guide them to the restroom. Event staff certified in first aid can also provide emergency health services if necessary.

In terms of crowd safety, event staff typically fall into the following categories:¹

• Venue staff – Venue staff typically work for the venue where the special event is taking place. As a result, they can be especially helpful when guests have a question about the venue’s facilities and exits.
• Law enforcement – Law enforcement officers can control crowds if events become dangerous. Many local law enforcement agencies can help connect you with experienced personnel to staff and a trained crowd manager for your large event.
• Event planning staff – Community event planning staff generally consists of staff members in charge of running the event. These staff members can help control crowds by providing information, steering crowds towards exits, and alerting the task force should they need to intervene.

Regardless of your staff type, all members of your staff should be apprised of how your event will be executed. It’s also crucial that staff members know the locations of entrances and exits, as well as bathrooms and medical sites.

#3 Purchase or Rent Crowd Safety Equipment

While event staff can be effective in terms of crowd safety, they often need equipment to help control crowds efficiently. Crowd safety equipment typically includes:

• Barriers – Barriers or temporary fencing can help keep crowds out of areas where they shouldn’t be. They’re also useful for keeping private vehicles outside of the event venue.
• Traffic cones – Traffic cones can help redirect traffic away from an event. This safety equipment can be particularly effective for managing areas where crowds cross streets.
• Tents – Other than making sure you’ve hired waste services, tents are also an important element for controlling crowds by divvying up space and demonstrating to crowds where event staff can be found. They’re also ideal for granting a degree of privacy to medical services and security sites. 

Why Is Crowd Safety Important?

When you host a widely-attended event, your ultimate goal is to offer an opportunity for guests to celebrate, connect, and enjoy themselves. And while most individuals are relatively harmless, large numbers of people can often create hazards that didn’t exist before.²

Whether it’s physical altercations or children getting separated from their families, implementing crowd safety measures can help reduce the likelihood of many common hazards, enabling your guests to sit back and enjoy.

Implement Crowd Safety Measures with ASAP Marketplace

Large crowds don’t only bring infectious energy to the table—they’re also key for bolstering revenue at a major gathering. Renting out the best event equipment is essential for ensuring crowds are safe, sanitary, and satisfied with their experience.

ASAP Marketplace provides the rental tents, dumpsters, and portable toilets you need to treat your guests to the event of a lifetime. We’ll even be there after the event wraps, assisting with junk and waste removal so that your event leaves no trace—just the memories.

Set your event up for security and success by exploring our offerings today. 

 

Sources:

1. Screenflex. 6 Actionable Steps to Crowd Management. https://www.screenflex.com/crowd-management/
2. Safety Sticklers. Why Is Crowd Control Important? Here Are 5 Great Reasons. https://www.safetysticklers.com/why-crowd-control-important/